Charlie on TGP 201: I knew it was going to be the experience of a lifetime.

By the time we all came to the house, I’d already met most of the other contenders at callbacks, but there were some surprises at the final selection. After callbacks, I think we all made little mental lists of who the “for sures” were, the ones who we thought would definitely stroll through those big orange double doors. Some people hadn’t made the cut, but once we were all there, I was very quick to warm up to everyone who had. I knew it was going to be the experience of a lifetime.

At first glance, I think I completely misjudged Michael. I’ll admit that I definitely sized him up and watched him a little more closely than the others. But that flew away quickly enough. Our personalities couldn’t be more different, but our love of good music made for so much to keep each other entertained.

My one-on-one session with Nikki went fine. I had one sentence, and I think I milked each syllable for everything it was worth.

Going into shooting the music video, I felt cold. But not in a metaphorical, Chekhov’s Masha ‘In mourning for my life’ kind of way, my flannel was way too vibrant and awesome for that. It was just effing freezing in there. Apparently, it’s also that cold in the McKinley High choir room set. My hat goes off to Naya, Heather and Diana. It’s an art to be so cheerful in such chilly times.